Saturday, October 31, 2009

Kids update

We went trick-or-treating around the parking lots here and adjacent to us.  The boys each filled their buckets about half full.  They have candy to last them until Christmas :)

I have now earned the  “worst mom of the year” award.  There are a bunch of things I’ve been forgetting to mention. 
Doodlebug:
1. Doodlebug can do puzzzles!  And has been able to do them for about 2 months now.  I just noticed it one day, so I have NO idea when he started being able to do them. 
2. He gives kisses on demand now. 
3. He picks up toy phones and actually talks like there’s a person on the other end.  “hello”, “how are you”, “good-bye”.  It’s really cute and funny.
4. His verbal skills are really taking off.  The other day he comes over to me and says “my daddy go work” (hubs was at work).  Yesterday hubby left for work while he was napping.  After Doodlebug gets get up from his nap, he goes to the front door, bangs on it and says “I love you Daddy” clear as a bell.  Then he says the same to me (except using Mommy :) ).  He also responds “I love you too (goo)”. 

More currently, Tuesday we moved him to the table.  He had discovered how to remove his tray, complete with plate of food, from his highchair.  So his booster is now at the table.  We got another floor mat and put wheels on the chair.  He can climb up into the chair (surprising since it’s quite a bit higher now), buckle up, and he has learned how to pull himself in to the table.  Unfortunately, he has also learned how to push his chair out from the table :(  He likes to do this, especially during meals.  So, now he’s learning that he looses his food when he does that.

And, he speaks Latin!!!  Yes, that’s right, Latin.  When we start prayers, someone (the boys) usually say “oremous” (let us pray).  The other day he chimed right in with them!  I couldn’t believe it.

The Professor is taking showers by himself now.  He still needs a bit of reminding not to take all day in there, but he does a thorough job.  Fortunately, he turns off the water while he’s lathering, washing and shampooing (his idea!), so the water bill isn’t through the roof.  It was getting hard to bathe the three of them together since they’re getting so big.

Velcro Boy: The pediatrician’s office put us in touch with Child Find (the agency that does free speech therapy).  I’ve contacted them and they are sending out an information packet and forms to fill out.  After that we’ll set up an appointment.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Small Successes

For Today October 29, 2009

It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph. So on Thursday of each week, we do exactly that.




1.

There's nothing small about this success, but I've made it through the past 10 months of misery torture difficulty with the most needy/clingy/complaining of my 3 kids.  He finally seems to be past what ever was bothering him and is now a MUCH happier boy!  YIPPEE!

2.

Got the house clean AND managed to bake brownies all in one day!

3.

Doodlebug has been transitioned from eating in a high chair to sitting in a booster seat pulled up to the table, and he loves it!

What are your Small Successes this week?

Stop by Faith and Family Live to read more of this week's Small Successes.

Monday, October 26, 2009

Daybook October 26, 2009





For Today:

October 26, 2009

Outside my window... HEAT.  This is ridiculous, it's the end of October for Pete's sake :)  I remember trick-or-treating as a kid (in Connecticut) in a winter jacket.  Lots of puffy clouds too.

I am thinking...that's it's been one of THOSE days.  We took last week off, I'll post about that next, so we're back to business.  There seem to be more discipline problems on our first day back, so I may rethink taking so many breaks.

I am thankful for...a full belly.  There are a lot of people in the world that aren't so lucky.  This has been weighing heavily on my mind lately.

From the learning rooms... back to school.  And a lot of complaining.  I (finally) printed out some of the sheets from the planner I purchased.  Unfortunately I waited until last night (at 10:00 no less) to do it so I wasn't able to play with it as much as I would have liked.  So, the jury's still out, so-to-speak.

From the kitchen...the smells of homemade pizza.  Yummy!  And the best salad I've had in a while.

I am wearing... tan shorts, a pink and white stripped short sleeve shirt that I've had for too many years and bare feet.

I am creating...Joseph for our Nativity.  Halloween chaos (see the pictures from this post.)

I am going...to put the kids to bed soon.  Hubby is still at work, so I *may* have a few minutes of blessed silence.

I am reading...several things. These will be long term projects since they're on-going studies. 
1. MOM's a Personal Journal by Paula Hagen and Vickie LoPiccolo Jennett. This is a study course to help us realize the importance of our ministries as mothers.
2. Full of Grace by Johnnette S. Benkovic. This is another study course to help deepen our appreciation and understanding of the Catholic faith, recognize the strength of prayer and the power of obedience.
3. The latest issue of the Florida Catholic.

I am hoping...that I can get through this week with my sanity intact.  Women of Grace meeting tomorrow night, a get together of women from church Wednesday night (here-have to plan dessert!), Doodlebug turns 21 months Thursday (where did the time go???), MOM's group Friday morning, grocery shopping AND my parents get back to town Friday afternoon.  Then Halloween on Saturday, and several crafts I want to finish/do with the kids.

I am hearing...Velcro Boy play on the electronic keyboard.

Around the house...more Halloween crafts, cleaning day tomorrow and planning still more school changes.

One of my favorite things...a big Velcro Boy hug!

A few plans for the rest of the week: ...see "I am hoping", plus "winter" clothes shopping, trick or treating, working with my planner, lining up some of those school changes.  And, hopefully, scheduling the speech therapy eval. for Velcro Boy.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...





Velcro Boy, he's such a happy kid!





Doodlebug's getting too big!







The Professor is getting sooo big, he can almost touch the floor with those looong legs!


To view more daybooks, visit Peggy.

AHHH...

Wouldn't I LOVE to live here...


A fall day on the back roads of Amherst County, Virginia.

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Halloween Crafts

I've been meaning to post some pictures of the Halloween crafts we've been doing.  Finally, here they are:

I got this craft at this site.  It's a great resource for all kinds of crafts.

This is Doodlebug's version:


Velcro Boy's:




And The Professor's:


Then the little kids made paper plate jack-o-lanterns.  I helped Doodlebug with his.

Velcro Boy's




Doodlebug's



We made something called a Graveyard Treat, but due to a lack of decorations (oops!), it turned out more like a pumpkin patch!






On the inside:


Graveyard Treat

Crust:
2 3/4 cups crushed Oreo cookies (I remove the cream first)
1/4 c sugar
1/2 cup butter, melted

combine all ingredients in the bottom of a 13x9 pan (sprayed with non-stick cooking spray).  Press firmly to bottom and refrigerate.

1st layer:
8 oz cream cheese, softened
6 oz Cool-Whip
1/4 c sugar

Beat sugar and cream cheese until smooth.  Stir in Cool-Whip.  Spread over the crust.

2nd layer:
2 cups boiling water
1/2 cup cold water
ice cubes
8 serving size package orange Jello

Stir boiling water into the Jello until dissolved.  Mix cold water and ice cubes to make 1 1/2 cups.  Stir into Jello.  Gently pour onto cream cheese layer.  Refrigerate until firm.

Spread 6 more oz Cool Whip on top.  Sprinkle with more crushed Oreos.  Decorate as desired.  I usually use candy corn and the pumpkins.  The original picture shows cookies decorated to look like headstones.

This is delicious and goes quite quickly.



Some decorations from years past:



I made this *years* ago.

The Professor and Velcro Boy made these last year:




 


Then they made tissue paper jack-o-lanterns.

The Professor's



Velcro Boy's:


Egg carton Spiders:
This was a 2 day project.

The Professor's:



Velcro Boy's:




And the mess they made painting




.



 Spiders on the move!









The Professor and Velcro Boy in their Halloween shirts.  I didn't make the one The Professor's wearing :)

They also decorated pumpkins:

The Professor's









Velcro Boy's:


 
 

And...Doodlebug's (obviously I helped, but he pointed to where he wanted the stickers):




 


Thanks to all who stuck with this post.  I know it was long, but we had a lot of fun making all these things!



Saturday, October 24, 2009

She's Done!!!

Mary's finally done.  Actually she was done several days ago, I just never got around to posting pictures :)

Here she is



While I'm at it, here's the before of Joseph.  I got so excited by the progress I was making that I forgot to take his picture BEFORE I started painting.  So here he is




I've made quite a bit of progress on him so far and I expect to be done with him shortly into the beginning of November.  I had hoped to be done by the end of October, but got behind (sick kids).  Now I have a few other obligations that I have to take care of.  At least the Holy Family will be done well before Advent.  I MAY even get to Gabriel  before Christmas :)  We'll see how Advent goes.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

The Domestic Monastery

You have GOT to check out this article!!!  I originally found the link here.  If you've never been to her site, you should check it out too!  This article made me look at our domestic church in a whole new light. 

...the mother who stays home with small children experiences a very real withdrawal from the world. Her existence is definitely monastic. Her tasks and preoccupations remove her from the centres of power and social importance. And she feels it. Moreover her sustained contact with young children (the mildest of the mild) gives her a privileged opportunity to be in harmony with the mild, that is, to attune herself to the powerlessness rather than to the powerful.

Hence, a mother raising children, perhaps in a more privileged way even than a professional contemplative, is forced, almost against her will, to constantly stretch her heart. For years, while raising children, her time is never her own, her own needs have to be kept in second place, and every time she turns around a hand is reaching out and demanding something. She hears the monastic bell (all monasteries have one...whenever the monastic bell rang, they (the monks) were to drop whatever they were doing and go immediately to the particular activity (prayer, meals, work, study, sleep) to which the bell was summoning them.)  many times during the day and she has to drop things in mid-sentence and respond, not because she wants to, but because it's time for that activity and time isn't her time, but God's time. The rest of us experience the monastic bell each morning when our alarm clock rings and we get out of bed and ready ourselves for the day, not because we want to, but because it's time.

Just some food for thought.

Monday, October 19, 2009

Daybook October 19, 2009







For Today:

October 19, 2009

Outside my window... beautiful blue sky.  The perfect kind of sky with those big puffy white clouds.

I am thinking...that's it's been a wonderful day!  The kids have been pretty well behaved, they ARE kids, ya' know!

I am thankful for...everything!  I feel sooo blessed today.

From the learning rooms... a week off!  We school 3 weeks on and 1 week off.  This will give me a chance to really pull together that new planner of mine.

From the kitchen...ham and pasta for the kids.  We went out for lunch today, so hubby and I are stuffed. 

I am wearing... black shorts, and my Halloween shirt.  I made Halloween shirts for the kids and myself a few years ago.  I haven't been able to wear mine the last two years (too tight), but I'm wearing it now :)  Also, bare feet (that finally got a pedicure)!

I am creating...Joseph for our Nativity.  I finished Mary a few days ago!  Pictures coming!

I am going...to have a date night with hubby tonight.  It's my birthday, so we're having a relaxing evening.

I am reading...several things.
1. MOM's a Personal Journal by Paula Hagen and Vickie LoPiccolo Jennett. This is a study course to help us realize the importance of our ministries as mothers.
2. Full of Grace by Johnnette S. Benkovic. This is another study course to help deepen our appreciation and understanding of the Catholic faith, recognize the strength of prayer and the power of obedience.

I am hoping...that I can have a productive week off.

I am hearing...the kids throwing mega-blocks around cleaning up.

Around the house...more Halloween crafts, more library books and planning still more school changes.

One of my favorite things...The sound of silence, which I'm not hearing.

A few plans for the rest of the week: "winter" clothes shopping, my Women of Grace meeting tomorrow night, more Halloween crafts, a trip to the playground, and some cleaning.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

no new pictures today :(

To view more daybooks, visit Peggy !!

Happy Birthday to me!

 My sister-in-law wished me to be able to sleep past 7:00 today, and her wish came true!!  I had to go into Doodlebug's room around 5:15 (haven't had to do that for a while, I think he was confused by the blanket :) ).   I went back to sleep until just after 7:00.   The alarm went off at 7, then a few snoozes and Doodlebug was awake for the day.

It's been a nice day!   Beautiful weather!   We went to the park this morning, then to lunch at Applebee's, home for naps and I kinda lounged around.   I had planned on getting a few things done today, but getting the kids down around 2:00, killed my ambition.   I spent the afternoon doing a few things for me!   I got caught up on journaling in my MOM's book, gave myself a pedicure, made salad dressing and hung out with the kids.   hubby took them to the library to give me a few minutes quiet.   After the kids go to bed, we're going to watch a movie and get Chinese :)   Yummy!

Sunday, October 18, 2009

2009 Homeschool Blog Awards



Join Me at The Homeschool Post!

Nominations begin tomorrow for the 2009 Homeschool Blog Awards.  Check it out and vote for your favorites!

hint, hint: Like me! :)

Love this weather!

I have the windows open and the air is blowing through.  The front of the house is north facing, so the air blowing in those windows is actually quite chilly.  Those windows are only partly open :)  The a/c thermostat upstairs says 74, but it's in a partly sheltered hallway so it's probably not accurate.  Tomorrow is supposed to be warmer, but still nice, 77 degrees.  We're going to the playground today after Doodlebug wakes up from his nap.  We're also discussing what to do tomorrow.  Something outside I figure.

Saturday, October 17, 2009

The shutters are rattling!!!













When the wind blows from a certain direction (out of the north), the shutters on our bedroom windows rattle.  It's really quite annoying to me trying to fall asleep at night, but it carries a welcome message.  It's going to get cold (er)!!!  Tomorrow's high is supposed to be 72, at least according to weather underground.  I'm optimistically excited.  They usually get the forecast wrong, but since it's for tomorrow, maybe they'll get it right!  What a great early birthday present!  Monday's high is only supposed to be 76.  Too bad it will never look like this around here.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Small Successes

For Today Thursday October 15, 2009







"It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph. So on Thursday of each week, we do exactly that."


1.


Mary is almost done!!!  I just have some touching up to do, which should be done tonight.  Then spray sealant, tomorrow night.  And she'll be done!  Only 3 days behind "schedule" :)  Not too bad for having started more than 2 weeks later than I wanted to :)  


I'll start Joseph tomorrow night, planning on having him done by the end of the month.  We're doing a Jesse tree this year, so I need to make all the ornaments.  I'm planning that for November.


If I have time in December, I'll try to get the Angel Gabriel done.


2.


I've decided on some changes that need to be made in the way I do school with Velcro Boy.  He is a very active 4 year old little boy, who's also a kinesthetic learner who likes to move around.  Trying to sit and read to him and do things with him just has not been working lately.  I've been getting so frustrated, and he hasn't been learning.  I've even been thinking of putting him in school just to get some space from him.  His speech also isn't improving and we're thinking of a speech therapy evaluation.  Oops, this is supposed to be a success post, not a ranting post :)  I've figured out (I think) a few things to do differently that I'm hoping will be what he needs and allow me to get through to him.


3.


I found a planner for school!!!  The old method just wasn't working, and quite frankly was driving me nuts.  So after some fruitless searching, this one dropped into my lap, or inbox as it were :)  I'm playing around with it, but it really looks promising.


What are your Small Successes this week?

Stop by Faith and Family Live to read more of this week's Small Successes.

Monday, October 12, 2009




For Today:

October 12, 2009

Outside my window...nada!  It's totally dark outside, or as dark as it ever gets around here (too much light pollution.)

I am thinking...that I better get myself off to bed so I'm not too exhausted for tomorrow.  School, you know :)

I am thankful for...3 sleeping kids.  They were bears today, so the silence is golden.

From the learning rooms... Getting back into the swing of things.  The Professor was unusually uncooperative today, that bear thing I mentioned.  I'm looking into ordering a new planner, and possibly making a few changes in curriculum.

From the kitchen...Chicken Diane, salad, apple wedges, and whole wheat biscuits.

I am wearing... blue shorts, a burgundy checked short sleeved shirt and bare feet (that STILL could use a pedicure).

I am creating...Mary for our Nativity.

I am going...to bed!

I am reading...several things.
1. MOM's a Personal Journal by Paula Hagen and Vickie LoPiccolo Jennett. This is a study course to help us realize the importance of our ministries as mothers.
2. Full of Grace by Johnnette S. Benkovic. This is another study course to help deepen our appreciation and understanding of the Catholic faith, recognize the strength of prayer and the power of obedience.

I am hoping...that our Lord will give me some guidance on the curriculum changes I mentioned.

I am hearing...hubby snoring.

Around the house...finally getting back on top of things from being sick for a week.  And, Halloween decorations!  We finally got the house decorated for Halloween, I know it's not a traditional Catholic holiday, but the kids like it.  We keep it "clean" - spiders, bats, happy ghosts, jack-o-lanterns, etc.  NO monsters, possessed murderers or things of that nature.  The Professor and Velcro Boy were following me all over the place bugging asking me about hanging various things.

One of my favorite things...The sound of silence.

A few plans for the rest of the week: School, school and more school, a trip to the library, my Women of Grace meeting tomorrow night, more Halloween crafts, a trip to the playground.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...




This is what happens to tomato soup when it's left on the burner for WAY too long.  *Someone*  (who shall remain nameless) heated up some soup after work one night and forgot about it.  This is what I woke up to the next morning.  I thought the pan was toast, but it actually came clean!!!  I soaked it all day, then filled with water and vinegar and dishwashing soap and brought it to a boil.  Boy did it stink!!!  Some of it chipped off.  I let it soak for a while longer and chipped away at it.  I must have found a weak spot, because the whole mess just lifted out.  A gentle scrub and it's good as new.

To see more daybooks, visit Peggy!

Thursday, October 8, 2009

FaithButton





"It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph. So on Thursday of each week, we do exactly that."

1.


I finally managed to get started painting Mary for our Nativity set.  We bought a 20+ figurine Nativity set last Christmas and I'm just now starting to paint it :)  I finished the baby Jesus a few weeks ago.  Now onto Mary.  Hopefully in a few weeks I can post about Joseph!


2.


The kids and I seem to be finally almost better.  We've all been sick since last Friday and it's gotten old.  Hopefully I can get caught up over the weekend and get back to routine.

3.

My blog has been found!  I have my first follower and someone else commented on a posting.  I'm really excited about this.  I thought it would take forever for someone to find me!  And who, in the world, would want to read my stuff???

What are your Small Successes this week?

Stop by Faith and Family Live to read more of this week's Small Successes.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary







Since we've been under the weather lately, we didn't do too much.  The kids did coloring pages and I finally got around to starting Mary for our Nativity!

And I found out...I'm so excited...2 people found me!!!!!  I'm so excited to have a new follower and a new commenter.   Welcome to the site!

Monday, October 5, 2009

Daybook - October 5th







 
FOR TODAY
October 5, 2009

Outside my window...a freshly cut lawn. The yard guys were here this morning with their mowers, edgers, blowers, etc. The boys are completely enthralled with them.

I am thinking...that I better start supper, or get hubby to :)

I am thankful for...Doodlebug getting better.

From the learning rooms... not much, since we're taking a few days off being sick.

From the kitchen...leftover pizza for lunch and grilled cheese and tomato soup for supper. Simple I know, but for now that's what works.

I am wearing... tan shorts, a rose short sleeved v-neck shirt and bare feet (that could use a pedicure).

I am creating...Halloween costumes for the kids.

I am going...to create or find a new planning system for our homeschool. The one we have isn't fitting the bill.

I am reading...several things.
1. The Domestic Church Room by Room by Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle
2. MOM's a Personal Journal by Paula Hagen and Vickie LoPiccolo Jennett. This is a study course to help us realize the importance of our ministries as mothers.
3. Full of Grace by Johnnette S. Benkovic. This is another study course to help deepen our appreciation and understanding of the Catholic faith, recognize the strength of prayer and the power of obedience.

I am hoping...that we all get better soon so we can get back to our routine. We've been sick since Friday and it's getting old :)

I am hearing...Doodlebug getting his books out of their box.

Around the house...things are getting a bit messy. I haven't had any energy.

One of my favorite things...hearing my 20 month old's giggle.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Hopefully, school, getting caught up with housework, Halloween crafts, a trip to the playground.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...



 They grow up way too quickly!

To see more daybooks, visit Peggy!

Our week off

We recently took one of our weeks off, and I took the opportunity to get a few things done.
1.  I decided on the colors for Mary for our Nativity set.

Now, I just need to get her started. :)

2.  I deep cleaned and organized The Professor and Velcro Boy's room.  Not there was much to do mind you.  There wasn't really anything I could get rid of.
3.  Planned our activities in Year With God up to Advent.  That's going to be a whole other ball of wax, so to speak :)
4.  Planned our October/Halloween crafts.
5.  Picked up my new glasses.
6.  Bought hubby a "new" car and got it insured and registered.
7.  Updated the kid's photo albums.
8.  Send the portraits and regular prints to out-of-town relatives.
9.  Found Halloween costumes for the kids!

Doodlebug's going to be a teddy bear (used costume from Velcro Boy)
Velcro Boy is going to be a UPS driver (I found brown pants, shirt and a hat, I just need to dye the hat        and make a "nametag")
The Professor's going to be a FedEx driver!  We have pants and a hat already, so I just had to find a shirt.  And I also need to make him a nametag.  The pants and shirts are things that the kids can wear again, so I didn't mind spending the money.

I also got them canvas bags (inspired by my SIL) that I'm going to decorate for Halloween loot bags.  I'm tired of trying to find storage space for those big plastic pumpkin buckets :)

10.  Of course I spent some time in the kitchen :)  I made banana bread, graham crackers, salad dressing and several other things.
11.  I found room darkening curtains for the boys' rooms.  I got them hung Saturday night and they really do block a lot of light.  (It's hard to tell if they help, we've all been sick and no one sleeps well when they're sick).  I did this in anticipation of the time change November 1.  My kids already get up before 7 (I know it's not the crack of dawn, but still...).  I hate to think of that becoming waking before 6.  I try to get up before them to shower, dress and have some prayer time BEFORE they wake up.  I'm rarely successful, but I can't imagine having to get up at 5 to get all that done.
12.  I also did our regular cleaning and gave the van a good vacuuming out.  It needed it.  It's been ~8 months since it's been done.

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Out of the mouth's of babes

Last Sunday as we're entering the pew for Mass, Doodlebug starts throwing a fit.  He's saying something and we're just not sure what it is.  Finally get him settled down and forget about it until after receiving Communion and returning to the pew.  As I'm in the process of getting back down on the kneeler (holding Doodlebug), he starts throwing another fit.  The whole 9 yards, crying, arching away from me, etc.  So, I finally get him to settle down and get him to tell me what's wrong.  And he says "cracker".  This doesn't make sense to me since he doesn't eat crackers during Mass (Goldfish, yes, crackers, no).  He continues trying to get away from me and is stretching over the pew (we're in the third row), repeating "cracker, cracker".  FINALLY I get it, he wants the Blessed Sacrament!!!  So, I explain to him that it is a very special cracker.  Jesus is in that cracker and he has to wait until he's older to get one of those special crackers.  This settles him down a bit.  Thinking about it later it dawns on me that every week (pretty much), for his entire life we've approached for Communion holding him in our arms.  We "get a cracker" and he doesn't get anything!  Poor kid.  Looking at it from his point of view, we're fairly selfish :)

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Disposable Consumerism

Have we turned into a world that just throws things away???  My husband's cordless drill battery has finally died.  It's been having a hard time lately holding a charge, and we finally said "enough".  So he gets online to check on prices for a new battery and finds $35.  Not too bad.  So he goes to Home Depot's site, out of curiosity, and finds a brand new drill for $25!  It costs less to buy a new one than to replace the battery.  So, of course, we decide on a new one.

Something similar happened a few months ago with the washing machine.  It cost less to buy a new one then it would have to fix the old one.  So many things are like this now a days that it's gotten ridiculous.  Recently there has been a video being shown in schools called The Story of Stuff (personally I think the video is full of lies, they even contradict themselves during it), but it has made me think about how wasteful our society has become lately.  Do we really need all this stuff???

Friday, October 2, 2009

I got roses!!!




Ones on paper anyway :)  This MOM's group I'm part of has each of us paired up with someone to pray for us.  Mine is actually a friend of mine (she called to tell me the other day) and I'm thrilled!  Well, I get this card in the mail today and 'lo and behold, there are roses all over it!  Yesterday was St. Therese de Liseaux's feast day (she's my patron saint) and she's known for her roses.  Inspired by Jessica at Shower of Roses, I had considered praying a novena to her, to end on her feast day, but I could never put my intention into words, so I never started the novena.

Doodlebug was sick today (and of course, a crank-a-pot), so I missed today's MOM's meeting.  When I opened today's mail, there are the roses I was never expecting!  The card was mailed yesterday, on her feast day.  Talk about special.

Let's Set a World Record!






Dear Friends,

I am happy to announce that my book The Very Hungry Caterpillar is the official book in Jumpstart's Read for the Record campaign this year.

The goal of this program is to set a Guinness World Record for the number of people reading the same book on the same day to children around the world and to shine the spotlight on the importance of early literacy.

On October 8th, all around the world, more than one million people are expected to read The Very Hungry Caterpillar. I will be appearing on the Today Show in New York to help celebrate. Hopefully a record will be set, bigger than ever before!

Sign up at Jumpstart's web site to read The Very Hungry Caterpillar and be a part of this year's Read for the Record!

Eric Carle

I can't wait to do this!